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old companion's daughter； the pretty Freda； I noted it when
we were in camp together； but it will be fully another ten
years yet before Sweyn can think of marrying。 He has got to
win for himself the name of a great warrior before a jarl's
daughter of proper spirit would so much as think of him。
When he has the spoils of France to lay at her feet it will be
time enough。〃
Sweyn made no reply； but Edmund saw that he was far
from pleased at his father's words； and a look of surly
determination on his face showed the young Saxon that he would
go his own way in the matter if it lay in his power。
After ten days' travelling the party arrived at the
rendezvous。 Here drawn up on the shore were a vast number of
galleys of all sizes； for the greater part of those who had
assembled had journeyed by sea。 Great numbers of huts of
boughs and many tents constructed of sails had been erected。
Edmund and the other slaves； these being either Saxon or
Franks captured in war； soon erected bowers for the jarl and
his family。
Edmund had been looking forward to the meeting with
much anxiety； for he had judged that some mode of escape
might there open to him。 Among the Saxon slaves were several
young men of strength and vigour； and Edmund had
confided to them his project of stealing a boat and sailing
away in it； and they； knowing that he had experience in
navigation； had readily consented to join him in making an
effort for freedom。
The jarl and his family were warmly welcomed by many
of their companions in arms； and the day after their arrival
Bijorn told Edmund to accompany him to a banquet at which
he and his family were to be present。 At four in the afternoon
they set out and presently arrived at a large tent。
Edmund waited without until the attendants carried in the
dishes； when he entered with them and prepared to take his
place behind his master's seat。 From a few words which had
passed between Sweyn and his sisters Edmund doubted not
that the companion with whom Bijorn was going to dine was
the father of the maiden about whom they had joked him。
He was not surprised when on entering he saw Sweyn talking
earnestly with a damsel somewhat apart from the rest。
The entrance of the viands was the signal for all to take
their places at the table。 There were in all sixteen in number；
and as nearly half were women the meeting was evidently of
a family character； as upon occasions of importance or when
serious discussions were to take place men alone sat down。
As Edmund advanced to take his place； his eye fell upon the
jarl who seated himself at the head of the table； and as he did
so he gave a slight start of surprise； for he at once recognized
in him the Northman Siegbert； whose ship he had stopped
at the mouth of the Humber。 From him his eye glanced at
the girl by whose side Sweyn was on the point of seating
himself； and recognized in her the maiden who had besought
her father's life。 The dinner commenced and proceeded for
some little time； when Edmund saw the girl looking fixedly
at him。
〃Who is that who is standing behind your father's chair？〃
she asked Sweyn。
〃A Saxon slave；〃 he answered。 〃His vessel was well…nigh
wrecked on our coast。 Our people captured him and slew
some of his followers； and the ship speedily took to flight。〃
〃Father；〃 the girl said in a clear voice； which at once
attracted the attention of all； 〃unless my eyes deceive me the
young Saxon standing behind Jarl Bijorn is he whose ship
captured us as we left England； and who suffered no harm to
be done to us。〃
The Northman turned in his chair。
〃It is he； Freda； surely enough； though how he comes to
be a slave here to my comrade Bijorn I know not。 Bijorn； my
friend； I owe this youth a deep debt of gratitude； he had my
life and the life and honour of Freda in his hands； and he
spared both； and； slave though he may be of yours at present；
yet I hail him as my friend。 Tell me how came he in your
hands？ He is Edmund； the valiant young Saxon who smote
us more than once so heavily down in Wessex。〃
〃I know it；〃 Bijorn replied； 〃and will tell you how he came
into my hands； and in truth he was captured by accident and
not by any valour of my arm。〃 The jarl then related the
circumstances under which Edmund had been captured； and
the narrow escape he had had of being offered as a sacrifice
to Odin。 And Siegbert then told his guests at length the
incidents of his capture by the Dragon。
〃He let me go free and without a ransom；〃 he concluded；
〃and that part of my obligation I should be glad to repay；
though for his gentleness to Freda I must still remain his
debtor。 What say you； Bijorn； will you sell him to me？ Name
your price in horses； arms； and armour； and whatever it be I
will pay it to you。〃
〃In truth； Siegbert；〃 Bijorn said； 〃I like not to part with
the lad； but since you are so urgent； and seeing that you
cannot otherwise discharge the obligation under which； as you
say； he has laid you； I cannot refuse your prayer。 As to the
price； we will arrange that anon。〃
〃Then it is settled；〃 Siegbert said。 〃You are a free man；
Ealdorman Edmund；〃 and he held out his hand to the youth。
〃Now seat yourself at the table with my guests； there are none
here but may feel honoured at dining with one of King
Alfred's bravest thanes。〃
The transformation in Edmund's position was sudden
indeed； a moment since he was a slave； and although he had
determined upon making an effort for freedom； he had
known that the chances of escape were small； as swift galleys
would have been sent off in pursuit； and it was probable that
he would have been speedily overtaken and brought back。
Now he was free； and would doubtless be allowed to return
home with the first party who sailed thither。
Siegbert at once tried to make Edmund feel at home；
addressing much of his conversation to him。 Bijorn； too；
spoke in a friendly manner with him； but Sweyn was silent
and sullen； he was clearly ill…pleased at this change of fortune
which had turned his father's slave into a fellow…guest and
equal。 His annoyance was greatly heightened by the fact that
it was Freda who had recognized the young Saxon； and the
pleasure which her face evinced when her father proposed
to purchase him from Bijorn angered him still more。 In his
heart he cursed the horse whose welcoming neigh had in the
first instance saved Edmund's life； and the trial by augury
which had confirmed the first omen。 After the banquet was
over Siegbert requested Edmund to relate his various
adventures。
The telling of tales of daring was one of the favourite
amusements of the Danes； Siegbert and his friends quaffed
great bumpers of mead； and the ladies sat apart listening
while Edmund told his story。
〃You have a brave record； indeed；〃 Siegbert said when
he had finished； 〃for one so young； and fond as are our youths
of adventure there is not one of them of your age who has
accomplished a tithe of what you have done。 Why； Freda； if
this youth were but one of us he would have the hearts of all
the Norse maidens at his feet。 In the eyes of a Danish girl； as
of a Dane； valour is the highest of recommendations。〃
〃I don't know； fath